The I got whooped blues (just want to vent)

*sigh* I just want to vent here maybe get some suggestions. I'm having a problem with sparring in which I freeze up sometimes. Today I sparred two people in class a guy who was twice my age and height, and a kid who was in like 8th grade and taller then me.

My first match was okay. Granted the guy was not in the best shape so he could not fight very aggressively and picked his punches. I am an aggressive fighter so it works.

Now my second match was embarrassing. In this round we were limited to straight punches which is one thing that killed me. The guy was an aggressive a fighter with less experience then me so in the beginning I did great. I managed to push him back....until he got aggressive.

After that I was unable to think. I was caught in a situation where I had no idea what to do or rather I knew what to do but could not think. So I got whooped at the end. I pulled out saying I was to tired when I was just overwhelmed. I know how to fight someone like that but I'm not good at the footwork and seeing punches to dodge them.

First mistake. You are seeing winners and losers in a sparring session. You may have "lost", but your worst mistake was pulling out with the "I'm tired" excuse. For the record, it's always very obvious when someone does that, and I respect 'em more if they step up and keep trying. I have had my fair share of ass whoopings ( believe me ! ), and it's hard to keep your ego from messing your head up, but you must keep going and learn from the experience. This keeps you honest.
Against people who regularily hammer you, set small goals. eg: Today, I'm not gonna get stiff jabbed repeatedly in the face. Or, today I'm not gonna let that guy make me fall apart under the pressure, I will keep calm and relaxed and keep up a good aggressive defense. If I feel myself getting overwhelmed I will take a deep breath, focus on what I'm doing, tuck my chin and get on with business.

Drop your ego for one thing. Its sparring there is no win or lose. If you were so good that you beat every person you sparred then you'd have no reason to train. Its the id or "ego" that tells you losing is not acceptable. That you have to be the best in whatever you do all the time. Take your beatings like a man and you'll gain more from that experience than you will from any win. So next time HTFU and stay on the mat and take your whooping with a smile on your face. Its bitter medicine sometimes but its the best prescription available.

I once was given a bloody nose by an 8 year old girl in front of the entire class I was teaching and you know what I did? I laughed along with everyone else and it was fine. No one lost any respect for me and I was not any less a teacher, a fighter or a man for it. Hang in there and you'll be fine.